RVC 2019 Year-End Newsletter

2019/2020

RIDGE AND VALLEY VIEWS Preserving Natural Lands Since 1992

A WALK IN THE WOODS Page 3

IN THEIR HABITAT Pages 4-5

Climate Change Anxiety?

“Do Small Things, with Great Love.”

A Message from Susi Tilley, Executive Director It is easy to get overwhelmed these days. Climate change is real.

The effects are all around us, every day. The world needs to act fast and on many fronts. It seems that we are all facing an insurmountable task. Where to begin?

I recently traveled by train from Switzerland to the beautiful wine country of Bordeaux. As I was taking in the view of the French countryside, I was reminded of how precious our Earth is. We all - humankind, wildlife and plant life - depend on clean air, fresh water, and land to thrive. We have an obligation to protect our Earth and food system. In a global world, it is important to learn from each other and to find practical solutions.

During a vineyard visit, I learned that in the 18th and 19th century, French vintners began importing American vines. By the mid1860s, an American bug, phylloxera, had hitchhiked along with the imported vines. In the US, it only bothered the leaves of grape vines. In France, however, it began destroying the vineyards and crippling the wine industry. After much research, it was discovered that phylloxera preferred the leaves of imported American vines and the roots of local French vines. As a response, they developed a hybrid of French vines grafted to American roots. These vines thrived in the French soil. Today, nearly all French wine comes from these grafted vines. Without international cooperation, we would not be able to enjoy these fine wines and their rich history today.

Among my favorite quotes is one from Mother Teresa: “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”

We don’t all need to develop a new hybrid to help destroy the newest invasive pest or develop a machine that absorbs carbon from the atmosphere. We need to do the small, easy things we all can do right now to help slow the effects of climate change.

For example, use fabric vegetable bags to replace plastic bags in supermarkets, install low-flush toilets in all new and renovated buildings and push for infrastructure investments that prioritize public transportation. Results? Smaller landfills, cleaner water, air and better public health.

STEWARDING THE LAND Pages 6-7

By considering the small changes we could incorporate and adapting them to our lifestyle, much can be achieved. One of the most effective ways to combat climate change, and one that comes with many other positive side effects, is to support your local land trust! During a recent visit to Drew University’s Hepburn Woods, Prof. Sara Webb reminded us about the importance of protecting old-growth forests. Old-growth forests have been shown to sequester the largest amount of carbon, while at the same time cooling temperatures down.

In fact, old-growth forests already ARE carbon-sequestration machines and they don’t even need to be built! We must simply set aside as much forested land as we can and ensure effective stewardship and protection. In addition, these lands provide homes for wildlife, rare plants, and complex and rare ecosystems. All this while also providing opportunities for nearby recreation, helping to improve public health, reduce travel and grow the economies of local communities. This is a win-win overall.

RVC is a small and mighty land trust. Our current team of two full-time and two part-time staff members, a dedicated board and many highly committed volunteers marks our largest size in RVC history. Yet, for the last 27 years we set aside land and invested in conservation, recreation and stewardship, protecting more than 3,600 acres of land in the Ridge and Valley Region. Imagine what is possible with increased membership support, greater awareness of our mission and a growing volunteer base. This can only happen if we all move forward together, doing what we can do, here in our local community.

To continue our work, we depend on YOUR support to help us preserve more land, and to steward it effectively for conservation and recreation purposes. $3 out of every $4 donated go directly to land protection.

By signing up as a member or remembering us in your yearend giving, you help us continue our important work. Best of all, your contribution truly helps to create fresher air, cleaner water, healthy ecosystems, a healthy food system and a thriving local economy. We can each help turn the climate crisis around by beginning to do just one small thing today, with great love. It will make a long-lasting impact on not only the Ridge and Valley Region, but on the Earth’s climate that we all so desperately need to restore to health again. Thank you for renewing your support.

R I D G E A ND VA L L EY VIEWS / 1

We’ve Always Been Local A Message from Bob Canace, RVC President Local is in. The food movement has realized that people now want to know where their food comes from and like to support local agriculture. Local makes sense. Fortunately, in our area there is an abundance of local food much of the year. It feels good to buy from farmers who live where we live.

To quote a saying in the land conservation movement – “All land conservation is local.” (OK, we stole it from another saying, but it applies). We can’t import land from somewhere else. To steal another expression, “They’re not making any more.” Right?!

As a local land trust, Ridge and Valley Conservancy focuses its efforts on preserving precious open space, habitat and water resources in an identifiable, local geographic area.

You can drive by our preserves, walk in them, or just feel the satisfaction of knowing someone is working to keep the area in which you live or like to spend time green and natural. We work hard at it. It’s a business. It doesn’t come easy, but once we preserve land, it stays in its natural state. Water flows pristine from it, wildlife passes through it unharassed, it creates a soft green backdrop, and you can visit it anytime you want or need.

Many land conservation organizations work in regional, national, or global landscapes. There is a movement in land conservation to target the remaining broad, natural landscapes around the country and world. This is admirable work. Local land trusts like RVC continue to do the basic work of preserving land they can touch, smell, see and feel. In an area with water resources, wildlife habitat and vistas as pure as the Ridge and Valley, this is vital work. We’ve carried it out for 28 years and intend to keep up the pace. We plan to preserve and oversee an additional 700 acres-plus of open space and farmland in the coming year. Local land. It feels good!

2019 HIGHLIGHTS Muckshaw Ponds Preserve and Farm RVC is working towards acceptance of the transfer from The Nature Conservancy (TNC) of more than 400 acres of open space and farmland in Andover/Fredon.

The TNC Muckshaw Ponds Preserve has several large sinkhole ponds hosting rare plant and animal species.

Adjoining farmland allowed RVC to partner with the Foodshed Alliance to make affordable land available for sustainable farming.

White Lake Natural Resource Area RVC continued to manage White Lake for recreation and conservation. We engaged the community in a diverse variety of programs to enjoy nature, learn about their local ecosystem and steward the land, including dog hikes, volunteers days, nature walks, moonlight paddles and yoga.

Women and Their Woods RVC created and hosted NJ’s first “Women and Their Woods” workshop, an educational program empowering women to better take care of their woods. This sold-out event featured panels of well-know industry leaders, from an international author to academic scholars.

NJ Land Rally Presentor Created and led a membership engagement workshop on mindful programming at the 2019 NJ Land Rally to other professionals in the field. RVC’s mindful programming was presented as a model for other land trusts to employ.

Familiar Faces in New Places Welcomed long-time RVC volunteer Margaret Schiller as Vice President of the Board of Trustees.

Contracted with Carla Lee Lewis as part-time Stewardship Coordinator to plan and implement stewardship projects and trail maintenance plans.

Hired Aaron Rosado as Preserve Manager at White Lake.

Volunteers Volunteers continue to be critical to RVC’s ability to fulfill its mission. In 2019, volunteers contributed approximately 380 hours of stewardship and administrative work - this is double the stewardship hours of 2018.

THANK YOU!!

Ridge and Valley Conservancy Mission Ridge and Valley Conservancy (RVC) is a private, non-profit local land trust, founded in 1992, that preserves natural areas within the Appalachian Valley and Ridge Region of northwestern New Jersey for the benefit of people and wildlife. We protect forests, meadows, farmland and watercourses, and practice sound ecological management of the land we've protected. Many of our preserves are open to the public, so that people may commune with nature. RVC acquires both land and conservation easements.

We also assist in the stewardship of public land and advise landowners as to their conservation options. RVC is accredited by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission.

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A Walk in the Woods

by Carla Lee Lewis, RVC Stewardship Coordinator

Hot on the Trails If you’ve spent any time on RVC’s website lately, you may have noticed the beautiful new trail maps that are available for download from each preserve’s landing page.

It all started when Andrew (Drew) Leidich, RVC’s resident preserve manager at White Lake during the 2018-2019 season, expressed his interest in cartography and offered to take a stab at creating an updated map for White Lake. Well, Drew’s finished product was so well-received that we immediately set him to the task of creating trail maps for the rest of RVC’s preserves, and he welcomed the challenge! Along with wonderful custom illustrations by artist Jennifer Ramirez, each new map includes a description of preserve features, rules for trail use, and directions for trailhead access and parking. At this time, maps are available for download from the website or can be picked up at the RVC office in Blairstown (with the exception of White Lake’s map, which is also available in a paper version at the park’s two main entrance kiosks).

As a professional land steward, Drew has moved on to employment in the Pennsylvania state park system. But, lucky for us, he is eager to continue to assist RVC with map creation as we expand our trails and acquire new lands. Thank you, Drew!

A terrific hiking experience depends on far more than having a useful map, of course. At RVC, we are committed to maintaining the quality of public access on our many miles of trails, and over this past year have redoubled efforts to improve trail marking and other signage, to quickly clear storm damage, and to keep trailheads and trail corridors as neat as possible.

Mother Nature is often a step (or three) ahead of us, to be sure.

And sometimes we’re just helpless, as during historic rainfall amounts and unrelenting winter snows. But we hope our

RVC community knows that we are always on the case and working hard, with very limited resources, to keep up. Growing RVC’s organizational capacity, including stewardship staff, is a major goal in the coming years.

For now, we rely on our trusty corps of stewardship volunteers. On the first Saturday morning of each month, from April through October, volunteers help us tackle trail clearing, brush and invasive-plant removal, and other stewardship tasks. It never ceases to amaze us how much a motivated group can accomplish in just a few hours, and we are ever grateful for the assistance. Volunteer Saturdays will resume in April 2020. We announce work sites on the website at least a week in advance.

Please consider joining our hardy crew in 2020, for one Saturday or more!

There are other ways you can help RVC’s stewardship efforts.

Perhaps your school or organization (or one that you know of) gives back to the community by offering volunteer workdays.

We’d be happy to host a workday at one of RVC’s preserves, and will work with your group to design a suitable project. Or, perhaps you visit a particular RVC trail so regularly that you’d like to “adopt” it, providing us with biweekly feedback on trail conditions and, if possible, assistance with upkeep. Contact Executive Director Susi Tilley to discuss the possibilities.

RVC also accepts donations of management equipment in good condition for our stewardship work. At the moment, our most pressing need is for a 4-wheel drive vehicle or truck to use as a dedicated stewardship vehicle, the donation of which will provide a nice tax deduction to the donor. Let us know if you can help.

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by Sharon Wander, RVC Trustee

White Lake Chain Saw Massacre to Save The Northern Metalmark But it is not all the butterfly’s fault. The unstoppable invasion of natural habitats by nonnative plants (one of the most pernicious ecological problems in New Jersey) has devastated the specialized places needed by Metalmarks. Open, grassy glades—dappled with the shade of cedars and spangled with yellow-rayed Black-eyed Susans and the eye-popping orange of Butterfly Milkweeds—have become choked with Japanese Barberry, Autumn Olive, Morrow Honeysuckle, Oriental Bittersweet vines, and Stilt Grass. Although the Metalmarks’ host plant can survive quite a bit of canopy closure, the vital nectar plants are shaded out, and with them the local Metalmark populations.

Hiking through its White Lake habitat, you likely would never notice the little butterfly unobtrusively sitting on a Black-eyed Susan flower. It’s less than two inches across and with only a quick glance appears to be quite modestly clothed in brown—hardly a sight to draw your eye from the big yellow-and-black Eastern Tiger Swallowtails that might be flashing through. But a closer look will reveal that this Northern Metalmark wears clothing (well, actually an array of tiny scales) worthy of an Elizabethan costume drama.

Its upper side is not really brown but a rich, dark orange. On the inner portions of both wings the orange is overlaid with intricate black squiggles and grayish bands. Near the margins the wings are clear orange with a row of tiny black dots enclosed by two shiny silver lines that give the Metalmark its name. A delicate silvery fringe outlining the trailing edge of each wing embellishes the elegant attire. But that’s not all—the butterfly’s underside is a brilliant bright orange, peppered with small black marks and ringed with the same silvery lines as above.

This little gem is one of the rarest butterflies in New Jersey (it is officially endangered here)—and indeed, in the Eastern United States. Its disjunct range in the east includes a fairly large area on the Virginia-West Virginia border, a much smaller area in extreme western Connecticut, and an equally small area here in northwestern New Jersey. As recently as the 1990s the Northern Metalmark’s range in our state extended from Branchville in Sussex County to Hardwick in Warren. Researcher David Norris found 22 colonies in this swath, with the largest supporting up to 83 individuals.

But today we know of only three colonies—at White Lake Natural Resource Area, at nearby Hardwick Meadows Preserve, and at Kittatinny Valley State Park, and all are on the edge of extirpation.

How has the beautiful Northern Metalmark come to this precarious situation? Part of the problem is of its own making: It has evolved to require a VERY specific set of habitat elements. Its caterpillars use only a single species of host plant, Roundleaf Ragwort, a lifestyle choice that obviously is limiting. And although this plant is fairly widely (if locally) distributed in northern New Jersey, and also occurs on the Inner Coastal Plain, the Northern Metalmark uses Roundleaf Ragwort ONLY where it grows on limestone-derived soils. That explains why the species’ distribution is confined to the “limestone belt” of Sussex and Warren counties—no extensive limestone occurs elsewhere in the state. But this butterfly is not done being demanding! Not only must its host plant grow ON limestone, it must grow UNDER Eastern Redcedars, preferably in an open, grassy glade on a south-facing slope. And oh, yes—nectar plants for the adults must be available no farther than 150 feet from the caterpillar host plants. Sheesh, they are particular!

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The habitat of Northern Metalmark at White Lake Natural Resource Area has not been spared this War of the Worlds-level invasion by aliens. But as manager of the Warren County parkland that includes these precious butterflies, Ridge and Valley Conservancy is working to rehabilitate that habitat to save—and hopefully increase—the Metalmark population.

In the fall of 2018, we began a concerted effort to remove the invasive woody plants in the main area of Metalmark habitat.

Along with our preserve manager, a crew of hard-working volunteers cut, clipped, lopped, chainsawed, and herbicided the undesirables, and also thinned-out the Eastern Redcedars in one area to see whether glade-like conditions could be re-established.

We thank everyone for undertaking this major effort to help out a butterfly that most of them have never seen!

In 2019, under the leadership of Carla Lee Lewis, RVC’s new Stewardship Coordinator, we focused on increasing the number of nectar plants available for Metalmark adults. Financial support was provided by Warren County, the NJDEP Conserve Wildlife Matching Grant Program, the US Fish & Wildlife Service Partners Program, and the New Jersey Butterfly Club. Our first objective was to add nectar plants in the immediate vicinity of the host plants.

Since earlier plantings of Black-eyed Susans and Butterfly Milkweeds (the Metalmarks’ favorite nectar sources) had been largely eaten out by deer, this time we set up 5 ft. x 5 ft. fenced exclosures to protect our floral investment. Thanks both to the fencing and to abundant rains, virtually all our plantings not only survived but thrived. A second objective on the nectar front was to plan ahead for the hoped-for future expansion of the Metalmark population.

RVC therefore contracted with StewardGreen habitat restoration specialists to improve about a half-acre of meadow adjacent to a forested area that Metalmarks may eventually occupy. In late summer the existing cover (mainly goldenrods) was removed and the area was seeded with a more diverse mix of pollinator-friendly wildflowers, including, of course, the Metalmarks’ favorites. We hope that as the Metalmark population increases and the meadow matures over the next several years, the butterflies will find this nearby field of nectar to their liking.

The White Lake Natural Resource Area Northern Metalmark colony is the only one of our state’s three remaining colonies where significant habitat management is being undertaken in an effort to save this endangered species from being lost to New Jersey.

Personnel and volunteers of Ridge and Valley Conservancy are proud to be on the support team for this beautiful and intriguing butterfly. We look forward to encouraging updates in 2020!

In Their Habitat

by Linn DeGennaro

habitat in northern New Jersey. Bobcat Ridge is only a short distance from our home, but as yet we had not seen any signs of the elusive animal. Solitary and secretive, they are not often seen.

My husband and I didn’t set out to become a citizen scientist or even a backyard conservationist. We started out with a single hummingbird feeder, wanting to enjoy these tiny but fascinating creatures close by a window. Then we expanded to a suet feeder, and we were hooked on enjoying birds year-round.

Next came the small animals who were foraging after the bird food we set out, and a hobby was born. We saw deer with newborn fawns, raccoons, geese with their young, wild turkeys and every kind of migrating bird. The inevitable bears came by, yearlings sauntering through our backyard and a mother with four cubs crossing the street in front of us. We discovered nature could be as beautiful as a peaceful blue lake glistening in the sun and as cruel as a hawk diving after a songbird and carrying it away still bleeding in its talons.

The day before our program, I caught a brief glimpse of a young bobcat in our backyard; unfortunately, his back was to the camera. Convinced this was proof that their numbers are increasing, it gave our program a positive conclusion with great hope for the future of the bobcat here in NJ. Little did I know that soon more sightings of bobcats would follow and the photographs you see here would come to be. They are truly proof of the growing number of bobcats in our area and stand as a prime example of how everyone working together can make a difference in the survival of a species.

Life Before Your Eyes: The Backyard Conservationist

Our interest turned more serious the day we saw a monarch caterpillar munching on one of our milkweed plants. We realized we could help—even in a small way—the declining population of this beautiful butterfly. We planted more milkweed, raised the caterpillars inside and released the emerged monarchs to populate our area, and eventually, in the fall to migrate to Mexico.

Adventures can take place far from home or they can be as close by as our backyard. The best thing is that everyone can play a part. We can have an encounter with nature just by looking out our back door.

An interest in butterflies led me to the paths at White Lake, where I enjoyed many hours watching and photographing all kinds of insects and plant life. I was fortunate to go on a butterfly walk with Sharon Wander. One day, I volunteered at Ridge and Valley Conservancy to join with others in the “mission” of conservation for our area.

While I helped out in the office, I learned of RVC’s commitment to protect habitat for the North American bobcat as a symbol of how nature and people benefit from land protection. This information on restoring bobcat habitat became useful when one of my husband’s customers asked us to put on a program on tracking animals that are commonly seen in the area. We decided the perfect ending would be a talk on conservation, specifically, the efforts to restore the bobcat to its native

The photos on top were taken by Linn DeGennaro, Life Before Your Eyes Photography, and were included in her recent backyard wildlife exhibit at the RVC office. The bottom photo shows Linn at the exhibit opening with some of her work on the wall behind her.

RI DGE A ND VA L L EY VIEWS / 5

by Chris Hepburn, RVC Trustee

Women and Their Woods: The Host Perspective This year RVC held its first Women and Their Woods Workshop, a full day in June aimed at “connecting, educating, and empowering women to take better care of their woods.”

I must admit to some anxiety leading up to this sold-out event, due to its being held at my home in a recently ‘finished’ garage space. But my worries about the logistics of parking, seating, bathrooms, and food were groundless; this was an RVC event and the obsessive-compulsive staff and volunteers of RVC were on the job!

The best thing about this event was how much I, and the other participants, learned throughout the day, but the most amazing thing was the feeling in the room. Counting attendees, RVC helpers, expert presenters, and a few observers from other nonprofits, there were about 48 people - all of them women - snug in that space, sharing and learning from one another. The room seemed to hum with positive energy and at the same time was more relaxing than I’d have thought possible. I can’t begin to understand it, but there is something about a group of women. Or is it a group of women who really love their woods?

RVC Executive Director Susi Tilley got us off to an inspiring start with an exercise about connecting to our woods. One participant talked about her woods bringing up an old song from her childhood. She complied with the group’s urging and sung this beautiful, relevant song in a shy but clear voice. It’s a memory that I treasure.

The day was jam-packed with presentations from knowledgeable women. We enjoyed seeing photos and learning about many of the beautiful creatures that rely on our woods. We heard about how different native trees support hundreds of moth and butterfly species. We learned about the food web involving countless microbes feeding on fallen trees and the value of leaving dead wood in the forest. We also heard a lot about threats to healthy forests, including many invasive plant species. One of these, the Norway Maple, is an imported tree that outcompetes our native trees not just by being a fast-growing, hardy tree, but by actually emitting toxins that kill fungus in the soil that other trees need to live. These Norway Maples are still being sold in nurseries. Unbelievable.

Along with other threats like fragmentation that creates more forest edge (versus solid forest), the overabundance of deer was discussed. The group seemed quite familiar with the deer problem and warmed to the idea of encouraging tree regeneration by creating deer exclosures with deer fencing, even if just small exclosures held up by large trees that stay in place just long enough for tree saplings to grow up.

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Women and Their Woods Presenters Standing from l. to r.: Laura Szwak, NJ Conservation Foundation; Liz Marshall, RVC Trustee; Susi Tilley, RVC Exec. Dir.; Sara Webb, Drew University Professor Emeritus; Leslie Sauer, Author of “The Once and Future Forest: A Guide To Forest Restoration Strategies;” Kara Haskro, NRCS; Lori Jensen, NJ Forestry Association; Sharon Wander, RVC Trustee; and, Rachel Mackow, Wild Ridge Plants.

Kneeling from l. to r.: Chris Hepburn, RVC Trustee; and, Rachel DeFlumeri.

The workshop addressed the confusing but important subject of qualifying for agricultural assessment with its associated property tax benefits. Most participants already had a Woodland Management Plan or a federal Forest Stewardship Plan. Both of these plans require that the forest owner generate income each year, usually by selling firewood or timber. The exciting news was that the State of New Jersey has created another option that requires forest stewardship but not income generation. The state legislature did this because the activities that generate income so often work against forest health in many ways such as soil disturbance from machinery, holes in the canopy that allow invasive plants, or removal of nutrient-providing dead wood. So now woodland owners can qualify for agricultural assessment by performing stewardship activities such as invasive plant control or planting native trees and don’t need to cut or remove wood simply to meet an income requirement. This new plan is called the New Jersey Forest Stewardship Plan (which I had confused with the federal one I currently have - glad to get clear on that). Now these new plans need to get written and we heard about working with certified foresters to get the plan that best meets goals for our forest.

The workshop covered a lot of information and I know many of the women there shared my desire to have another workshop and/or separate sessions that go more deeply into various topics. I sensed enthusiasm for a session on invasive plant identification and also on medicinal uses of native plants. I’m looking forward to more information and to the ‘upper’ of being with women who love woods.

The 2019 Women and Their Woods event sold out quickly. If you would like advance notice about upcoming events or are interested in viewing the resource list and other handouts from this year’s workshop, please email Susi Tilley at susi@ridgeandvalleyconservancy.org.

Stewarding the Land

by Michelle St. Andre

Women and Their Woods: The Attendee Perspective About two years ago, Susi Tilley was describing a program to me that she’d previewed for Ridge and Valley Conservancy. The program centered around providing women with the information they need to manage their wooded properties. She then mentioned that she hoped to one day bring the program to RVC as part of their ongoing educational offerings. When RVC announced plans to host the event in June 2019, I was very excited to attend.

As my husband and I own about 25 acres of wooded property, I was instantly intrigued for several reasons.

We are currently under the Farmland Assessment Program, with farming as our primary activity. At some point in our lives, we may not be able to farm our land but would of course like to remain under the umbrella of Farmland Assessment. I thought this program, “Women and their Woods,” would be an excellent starting point in understanding the different options there are for woodland management.

I was also intrigued by the “all women” policy for registration.

Men and women of course think differently, express themselves differently and act differently in a mixed group. In my experience, women’s ideas are often suppressed or overlooked when in a mixed group and I felt that the “all women” forum, from attendees to presenters, would lend itself to a much more relaxed environment.

I was excited to learn that Christine Hepburn had generously offered her property as a site for the conference. She had somewhat recently undertaken some new land-management practices so having the conference on her land gave a hands-on view of some of the work involved and options available to landowners.

I found the program to be very well-presented, well-planned, and creative. Topics presented were detailed enough to give attendees ideas of what and how to pursue the information in more depth, giving them the direction they might need to manage their woods for their lifestyle and goals.

Clockwise from top left: The attendees of the 2019 Women and Their Woods workshop gather during a break; Sharon Pontier shares her interpretative drawing of her woods; Sara Webb presents “What is a Heathy Forest?”; Chris Hepburn leads a property tour to demonstrate invasive management in practice.

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Don’t miss out on upcoming activities. Look for the 2020 RVC Schedule of Events to be released in January 2020. Highlights to look for: • Hike of the Month • Yoga

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• Butterfly Walk • Forest Walks and Meditation Paddles and Kayaking • Volunteer Days • Art in Nature • Dog Hikes • Women and Their Woods Special Events

Be certain to stay up to date with all of RVC’s current and upcoming events and activities with our electronic newsletter, on our website, or follow us on Facebook.

Interested in joining a great group of like-minded individuals in helping support the RVC mission?

Become a RVC Volunteer! Our volunteers help to maintain trails, organize and lead events, assist in the office and so much more.

Visit ridgeandvalleyconservancy.org to sign up or send your name and e-mail to kate@ridgeandvalleyconservancy.org.

Ridge and Valley Conservancy PO Box 146 16 Main Street Blairstown, NJ 07825

Winter 2019/2020

Find us at www.RidgeandValleyConservancy.org

Help continue the important work of Ridge and Valley Conservancy.

Check out our new membership levels below and join as a member today.

Already donated this year? Thank you for your generous support.

If it is possible to make an end-of-year gift, it would be greatly appreciated.

FRIEND, $35 - $99 BENEFITS INCLUDE: •

RVC car magnet

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Early-bird event notification

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Invitation to annual members’ event

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RVC annual newsletter donor listing

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Discounted rates on RVC paid programming events

SUPPORTER, $100 - $499 BENEFITS INCLUDE: •

All of the above benefits

CONSERVATIONIST, $500 - $999 BENEFITS INCLUDE: •

All of the above benefits

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Member-only “The View from Up Here” RVC picture calender

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One private, guided hike on RVC preserve for up to four people

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Invitation to annual RVC Ridgetop Circle special event

RIDGETOP CIRCLE, $1000 and above BENEFITS INCLUDE: • All of the above benefits • Listing as a RVC Steward on plaque at entrance to RVC preserve

Does your employer offer matching gifts?

Please think of including RVC. To make a contribution by credit card online, please visit www.ridgeandvalleyconservancy.org and click on “Support Us.” To make a contribution by credit card over the phone, please call 908-362-7989.

To pay by mail, please send check made payable to “Ridge and Valley Conservancy” to PO Box 146 Blairstown, NJ 07825 As you plan for the future, please also consider the RVC Legacy Society, comprised of individuals who wish to leave a lasting legacy. By making a planned gift, donors can ensure that the work of RVC continues on for future generations. Legacy gifts can include bequests, gifts of real estate / retained real estate, life insurance, IRA gifts, securities, charitable gift annuity, and other giving options. Please reach out to us to discuss options that are right for you.

$3 out of every $4

donated to RVC goes directly to the work of land preservation and protection.

Thank You for Your Generosity*

We appreciate the donations and program support of our RVC community.

Frank Allocca Pat Amadori Christine Amersepek Rosemary and Richard Amon Suzanne Aptman Lisa Armas Marjorie A. Barrett Lucy Barros Elenora L. Benz, Attorney At Law April Bjorklund Rosemarie Boehs Jane E. Bowers Dana Bowling JoAnn Bowman Patricia and David Boynton Olga Brazaitis Catherine Brennan Dennis E. Briede Julie Budzinski-Flores Alison Burian Brenda Burnett Jodi Butler Bob Canace DonnaLee Cannistraci Diane Cannon Heather Castimore Barbara and Tracy Cate Sandra and Stanley Christman Mark Claycomb NABA - North Jersey Butterfly Club Rena and Alex Cornella Charlene Crann Lynn Daleo Dominic Daleo Jennifer and Michael Daly Matthew Dank MaryAnn DeFlumeri Linn DeGennaro Michel DeWilde Frank Discenza Beth Dispoto Jane Draeger Christine and Kevin Duffy Christine Dunbar Mimi and Tim Dunne Amy Dwyer and Jim Helfrick Susan Endres Joel Ergas Priscilla Fieldhouse Ron Fischer NJ Conservation Foundation Kenneth Martin & Christine Hepburn Foundation Patricia Fowler Kenneth Fugowski

Kathleen Gallagher Chelsea Gallagher Melissa Garcia Joan and Frank Gibbs David Gilbreth Noreen Gleason Judith and Edward Glueck Lori and Bill Gold Becky Grabowsky Stephanie Greenwood Sandy Griffin Joan A. Guida Sue and Bill Habermann John Hall Ann Hartig Brigitte Heffernan Antonette Holub Matt Hoppe Amy Hoppe Diane and Ron Hornung Phyllis Howe Susan Hunt Patricia Hurd Phyllis Ianniello Henry A. Ickes Kenneth Idler April Johnson Justine Johnson Nancy and Gerald Johnson Shari and Raymond Johnson Linda and Thomas Keady Judy Keith Tom Kelleher Margaret Kelly Lisa Kelly Patricia Kennedy Heather Kerner Ingrid and Max Klein William F. Klimowicz Darby Kolb Edward and Leigh Kramer Nancy and Manfred Kurtz Annalyn and Jason Kurtz Land Trust Alliance Gregory James Larson Robert and Carla Lee Lewis Patricia Longo Catherine Lorusso Thomas Loscalzo John Lovell John Lovell Jr Kristine L. Manganelli Linda Marcus Elizabeth Marshall Rene Mathez Kate McArdle

Tanya McCabe Tessa McDonald Jamie McEnroe Diane and Joel McGreen Pam and Ed McGroarty Kate and Rich McGuinness Joseph McPartland Dawn Mcelroy Shelly Messina Micheline and Martin Miller Eleanor Moore Alison Morgan Laura Mosso Eileen M. Murray Paul Murray Ellen and Royal Nadeau John Neumann Linda Marcus and Stephen Nislick Margaret Noon Maryellen Nyce Jennifer O’Hagan Lily O’Reilly Andrew Oakley Roman Osadca Antonette Paccione William Pace Martha Perez Sharon Pontier Brenda Powner Michael Protzel Lynn W. Prtorich Bernita Radabaugh Sylvia Ramos Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Deborah M. Reichard Rosie and Richard Rhinesmith Cathy Rizzolo Jaclyn Rolph Ellen and Donald Romagnoli Louis J. Rossi Jennifer Runne Michelle St. Andre Jane and Dominick Santini Peggy and George Schaberg Kim Schad Bernadette Schicho Darvin Schild Margaret Schiller Sue and Ron Schopperth Linda Seeley Paul Shanahan Alan Shecter Leslie Sherman Tanya and Noel Silverman Barbara C. Smith

Julia Somers Jacque Spencer Christine Spiniello Stacy Stanford Adele Starrs Suzanne Stevens Ann and Robert Stock Karin Strom Bonnie and Peter Sugarman Bruce Taterka Susan Tessier Susi and Richard Tilley Sarah Trotter USDA - U.S. Department of Agriculture USDA - NRCS Kathy Ulrichny Leslie Unger Alexandra Vaia Beth Veech Michelle Vosper Sharon and Wade Wander The County of Warren Kathy and Steve Warwick Ellen and Paul Weisenstein Bradley White Jacqueline and John Wilkens Brenda Wilkins Jill M. Williams Beth Yingling Young Family Trust Elizabeth Zebrun

* 11/1/2018 - 10/31/2019

We would be happy to speak with you about other ways in which you can contribute meaningful financial support for RVC while creating a legacy that reflects your commitment to land preservation.

Please ask us about: • Making a bequest in your will or other planned giving; • Donating appreciated stock or directly from your 401k; • Making a gift of real estate; • Or other opportunities to support RVC. zz

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